BBM user guides for Android and iOS arrive online, launch imminent?

BlackBerry Messenger apps for Android and iOS have been in the pipeline for some time and now it appears we are one step closer to the eventual launch. User guides for both platforms hit the web today which will, at the very least, give eager BBM users a head start on the release.

While a user guide likely isn’t a requirement in order to use a messaging app, BlackBerry deems it necessary given their continued push into the enterprise. The guides offer the usual outline of how to use the app in addition to touching on some more in-depth topics like how to invite others to BBM, how to send basic messages, enabling group chats and how to understand BBM sent, delivered and read icons.

Those running Android will need version 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich or newer while iPhone users are required to use iOS 6 or higher to use the BBM app.

BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins announced plans to bring BBM to a greater audience back in May after holding out for several years. The app has been available for both platforms via BlackBerry Beta Zone since the beginning of August but there’s still no solid release date other than the general “end of the summer” window.

That means there’s about one month left on the calendar if BlackBerry wants to hold true to that promise. One has to wonder, however, if it’s a case of too little, too late for the once-dominant handset maker.